In the article “Gen Z Talks About This Kind Of Anxiety More Than Anyone Else—But We’re All Starting To Feel It,” published on October 4, 2024, in the HuffPost, author Brittany Wong discusses the unsettling reality that the number of natural disasters has increased significantly, with a fivefold rise over the past 50 years according to a UN Framework Convention on Climate Change report. As a result, climate anxiety, eco-grief, and natural disaster anxiety are reaching unprecedented levels, particularly among younger generations.
Why is this more common among young people? One reason is that wealth insulates some from the impacts of climate change. For instance, during the wildfires that ravaged the Santa Monica mountains in 2018, wealthy celebrities hired private firefighters to protect their homes—an option far out of reach for most of us.
If you’re struggling with natural disaster anxiety, remember that you’re not alone in these thoughts. While our team can’t offer private firefighters to ease your worries, we can absolutely provide you with effective coping techniques to help manage the stress:
Release the Weight of Natural Disaster Anxiety During Therapy Sessions
Those who are struggling with natural disaster anxiety benefit immensely from getting their fears off of their chest. Talking about their anxiety can help them feel heard, understood, and less alone in their experience. However, many do not want to talk to their friends and family regarding their worries about natural disasters because they know how tough these feelings can be and don’t want to place them onto another. That’s where your licensed therapist for natural disaster anxiety comes in. You can get it all off your chest without worrying about us taking on the emotional load. Together, we’ll help you understand your feelings and build resilience against anxiety. We have plenty of tools to help you navigate these challenging emotions and regain a sense of control.
Prepare for Natural Disasters Without Overwhelming Yourself
You will feel more in control if you have a plan. However, it’s essential to set boundaries in your preparation. You and your therapist will decide how much time to dedicate to preparation without letting it overwhelm you. For example, Erica packed a wildfire go-bag, feeling peace of mind knowing she could act quickly—but she also worked with her therapist to find the fine line between being prepared and letting anxiety take over. Remember—you can be ready without being consumed by worry.
Turn to Self-Care for Peace of Mind in Times of Heightened Anxiety
During times of recurring natural disasters, those with natural disaster anxiety often find themselves stuck in a loop of worrying about worst-case scenarios. Also, they may be extremely worried about the victims. If this sounds like you, it’s okay—it means you care. However, when the overwhelm and uncertainty fuel those racing thoughts, and it’s hard to quiet the mind, it’s time to ramp up the self-care. Self-care looks different for everyone. For example, some people find lots of relief going for a long run, and others care for themselves in the stillness of taking a warm bath or enjoying music. Write down a list of things you do that make you feel at peace, and carve out some time every day to make at least one of those things happen. Even on busy days!
Overcoming the Overwhelm of Natural Disaster Anxiety
Natural disaster anxiety does not have to take over your life. Through therapy, preparation, and self-care, you can find ways to manage your emotions and regain a sense of control. Talking with a licensed therapist helps you process your fears, set healthy boundaries, and develop tools to cope. Our therapists bring the compassion and expertise needed for navigating natural disaster anxiety. To learn more about counseling, please contact our Intake Coordinator at 949-236-1990 or intakes@lisaeatontherapy.com. You can also learn more over at our Get Started Page.
